Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I can't stand the smells anymore. Carbon filters don't work. Neither do the treated bags. I'm really curious about a few models of bagless power nozzle canisters:

1. LG Kompressor

2. Hoover Windtunnel Bagless. (The silver canister rebadged for Hoover. aka LG Cyking)

3. Hoover Platinum Windtunnel Bagless.

4. Some of the Electrolux bagless canisters.

One thing I've got to have on a canister is a long hose. I just realized the other day that the hand tools to my Miele Capricorn are immaculate. I suppose I never use them because the hose is so short! Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Having used none of the above I am not qualified to answer the question on which is better, but would like to comment on the genra as a whole.

If you think that you will eliminate odors going bagless, I am afraid you have been ill advised.  Bagless machines can get odors as well. 

Even though bagless machines don't have bags, they still have filters that need changed periodically; and on some  these filters can be quite expensive.    There are some machines that are the exception, but you do not mention them on your list.   Filter Queen, one of the better "bagless" machines has a filter that needs replaced.  Rainbows use water as their filter media, but they too can get stinky if not properly maintained. 

If you already have a bagged machine that is working, but just are tired of the bags getting odors before it's time to change it.  Would it not be less expensive to keep your machine with the bag and just change the bags more often?  Even a machine with more costly bags, a package of bags is going to be less expensive than a new vacuum. 

Bagged or bagless, a teaspoon or two of baking soda or borax never hurts and save a lot of money over carbon filtering medium. If you opt for a bagless machine look for one with an easily washable dust containers and filters. You won't achieve smell-free cleaning sessions either without a little work or expense. Venson

Venson wrote:

Thanks Venson. I'll try this. Which one do you think works best? Carbon really isn't doing it for me.

I'm not looking for smell-free. It's not realistic. My Dyson dc07 doesn't smeel anything like my Oreck Platinum or my Miele Capricorn. The bags start to reek after 2 weeks. I've gots 4 dogs and a cat, but it takes me more than 2 weeks to fill a bag.

Mister_Bojack wrote:

Really, in my heart of hearts, I like borax better but find it hard to find. It was popular for the wash back in the 50s thanks to Rosemary DeCamp and 20 Mule Team but it is still out there now.

I'm down to zero four-legged animals in my keeping but find that a little bit of baking soda -- cheap, easy to find and you can cook with it, even brush your teeth if you want -- helps keep my Miele Capricorn's exhaust from getting the stinkies if I've nothing else around. You just suck up a little as needed and and you're good to go. Matter, of fact I find buying baking soda a lot more helpful than footing the $30 to $50 bill for Miele odor killing filters.

But . . . remember to use just enough of either substance to solve the problem and not create one.

Venson

Mister_Bojack wrote:

I'm getting a mixed message here???? Your asking about a bagless vacuum because you've "had it with bags"...then you say you already HAVE a Dyson which I assume you know is a bagless vacuum. What are you really saying?

Is is safe to suck up baking soda into a vacuum? (Even if it's a small amount?)

I just bought an Electrolux Renny on Ebay and it's take some time getting used to, but I'm starting to love it. I  that hoping to find something as easy to use as the Kenmore canisters but that's better built.

The thing I notice is that the bags for these are SOOOOO Cheap! I mean you can get a CASE of 100 for less than 50 dollars. They seem to work really well too. I haven't noticed any fine dust in the tank of the vacuum. You could change the bag every time you finish vacuuming almost (but I don't)

I suck up some eucalyptus essential oil on a cotton ball and that works good.

mark40511 wrote:

As long if U have good pre-motor filtration (micron/HEPA filtration bag) its OK.  But if its single or 2-ply bag, baking soda will leak thru.

hooverman wrote:
Not quite. Not all vacuums are the same in this regard - if paper dust bags have an open seal with rubberised corners on the perimeter of the hole, this works well to keep any powder in, like Shake N Vac or soda powder, and of course, the design of the vacuum in question, if the dust channel is made to keep dust in rather than leaking. Ive used single bags and 2 ply and find that the better quality Genuine bags on a lot of uprights and canisters seal the powder in without it leaking. In any regard though, baking powder isn't flammable so it is never going to ignite the motor if it ever comes into contact with it.

I have never used Baking powder in a vacuum or on the carpet, but have used Baking Soda.

Baking soda is not flamable, but it is corrosive.  So if it gets into the motor parts it can corrode bearings, brushes etc.

Just wrote:
Baking powder and baking soda powder are one in the same. The only time it will corrode bearings is if there's any moisture present since baking powder is a salt.

There have been other ways I've experimented instead of using baking powder - crushed up BBQ brickets of pure charcoal act in the same way as Miele's Active Air Clean or HEPA filter. So, even if you add baking powder to a vacuum's dust bag alone in the hope that smells will be minimised, it can help a fair bit - adding charcoal however gives a stronger defence.